It was Marjorie, an avid reader, who enthusiastically recommended the trilogy to the group. When asked if it was a diet-book she summarized, “No, it’s like Shirley Jackson’s, The Lottery meets Survivor, meets dystopia, murder and mayhem.” .

A little hesitant, the group waltzed over to Green Apple Books on Clement Street and picked up the riveting, grab-you-by-the-brain books, and each found they couldn’t put them down. It wasn’t Jane Austen – but like a magnet – it held our attention.

Sense and Sensibility

Katniss, the heroine, is smart, bold, and resourceful. Throughout the books she contends with poverty, oppression, disease, starvation and all that dystopia. After myriad battles, suffering, misery, horrible misfortune, she eventually out-wits the consummate evil tyrant, President Snow.

Dating Games?

Marjorie was launching into her book comments when Janine, the group’s real dating-diva, piped up. She said the Hunger Games were like dating games. Dead silence.

Three of the women (single again, 50+, mildly experienced at online dating) chimed in and drew obvious parallels to the book and their fledgling social lives.

Admittedly, there was no abject terror, torture or treason in dating at 50, but there was definite hunting and survival. You had to be strong and somewhat fearless to go online and survive the experience.

She went out with dozens of men in her five-year survey of the dating scene. Her dating mantra was very Will Rogers, “I never met a man I didn’t like – a little.” Her next day play-by-play dating stories kept the Date Watcher’s entertained. Some of the other women had more fear than chutzpah. They admitted to living vicariously through Janine’s stories.

Consensus:The Hunger Games: Five Stars; and the Date Watchers can’t wait for the March 23rd movie release date; Dating at 50+ compared to the Hunger Games? A piece of cake. )

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” Jane Austen- Pride and Prejudice